It had been two days since Leo had a discussion with Colonel Armas. The military was having etings one after the other, because the tech that Leo had proposed to them was revolutionary and it needed a lot of funding. Even if they had unlimited budget, they would not be able to afford it.
If they took more from the governnt, it would affect the various departnts and hamper the civic growth of the country. Finally, after being at an impasse about the whole thing, the matter was brought up with the Field Marshall. The latter was not only the highest ranking military officer but also the mber of royal family.
When the Field Marshall saw the proposals and the reports on his desk he was shocked and then his gaze turned cold. He also saw the records of Leo as a forr student of the vocational courses from the military which sowhat justified the fact that Leo wanted to enlist but that was all.
The old man had a wrinkled face, but his eyes were sharp. He looked at his attendant and said, "Dippy, arrange a eting with this young man. I want to see if he is really worth for the military to take such a stance against the governnt."
The attendant was a major ranked officer, and he was surprised but he nodded and said, "Yes, Sir."
He rushed out of the study and the old man sighed, "To think that things are getting so troubleso. The people and their greed for power is a cancer."
…
In the mansion, Leo was playing with Lily, he was painting a big canvass with her and they were just splattering color all over from a distance. The little color had so stains of colors on her face and her white t-shirt while Leo's clothes were totally covered with the color stains and a few little hand prints as well, because he had multiple roles, one of them was the towel used by the little goblin.
They had been doing this because Lily saw a video which stated how creating chaos would help vent out stress and calm down the mind of people. She sensed that both her parents were stressed and so this activity was the outlet she designed for her Baba, to be productive and not wasteful.
Suddenly, Clara ca inside the work studio and she said, "Sir, soone from the Military office has called, they wish to talk to you. They said it is urgent."
Leo paused and Lily said, "Baba, you go, I will tear off the tear off the tape from the edges and then wait for you to co back."
Leo nodded to her and then left the studio. Leo asked Clara to stay back to watch over Lily after all, she was a child and while removing the tape sounded easy, the canvas was as ten feet wide and five feet tall, she needed supervision.
…
Leo ca to the living room and he picked up the phone under Snow's watchful gaze. The caller was Colonel Armas, she said, "Master Cardinal, could you co to the capital with right away?"
Leo raised his brow and asked, "May I ask what is this about?"
Colonel Armas replied, "All I can tell you is that it is regarding the issue you raised. Soone important wants to see you, and they have asked you to co over today."
Leo nodded and said, "I will take the flight as soon as possible, can I ask you to accompany ?"
Colonel Armas nodded and said, "Yes, I have been instructed to take you there. When shall we depart?"
Leo replied, "I will inform you within half an hour."
The latter agreed and the call was disconnected and right after that, Leo called June and said, "I want the plane ready in an hour, I need to go to the capital, June, can you see to it please?"
June took the instruction and then began to arrange things, while the people having been speculating the situation about the Cardinal Group, the reputation Leo commanded was still taller than the most the ATC gave them a five minute window during the peak traffic rush.
Back at ho, Leo inford Snow about the situation and the lady nodded as she said, "Don't worry, go ahead and deal with it. I will hold the fort here."
Leo packed a few pair of clothes and daily essentials before he dressed up in a semi formal suit and ca down, looking sharp. He was accompanied by Kyle and Axel. Jock stayed behind to mind the security at ho.
…
The car ca to the airport, and Colonel Armas was waiting there with her attendants, they were surprised when they saw Leo walking over. He looked more like an officer than they did. They looked at each other and when Leo approached, he asked, "Colonel Armas?"
The lady stood up and nodded to him as she stretched out her hand and they shook gently before Leo gestured, "This way ma'am."
He could tell that Armas was not a vase of the military, she was a hard working officer and the callous on her knuckles was a proof of it. This was why his behavior beca even more respectful, which pleased Colonel Armas a little.
They boarded the flight and Leo said, "Kyle, contact June, and tell her we are off. The cars should be ready when we get to the capital."
Kyle nodded and after a few minutes he said, "Sir, the manager of the Capital Office is already waiting at the airport."
Leo nodded and then he asked Colonel Armas, "Would you like so tea of coffee, Ma'am?"
Colonel Armas shook her head and asked, "It is surprising that you didn't offer wine."
Leo smiled and replied, "You are on duty and in full uniform. Unless you are at a military event, offering you liquor is disrespectful especially when I am a civilian."
Colonel Armas raised her brow and said, "You are very sharp, just as the reports say, Master Cardinal. No wonder the political lobby wants to suppress you."
Leo shrugged and the lady asked, "If you have a chance, would you enlist in the Military? After all, you are just twenty five years old, three years under age-limit."
The question surprised Leo, and he thought for a mont before he replied, "If I were to enlist in the Military, I will have to start from the bottom, I would need to give up on the rights to hold the wealth and operate in business. I can give up all that, I am not a materialistic person, as long as my family can live a fulfilling life, I am content with it, but to stay away from my wife and daughter for prolonged periods, I am afraid I am not that brave."
His denial was simple, and Colonel Armas didn't doubt it, she said, "The fact that you have given away billions of yuan for the betternt of the civil status of the nation is the testant that you are not materialistic, but stating that you cannot abandon your family, that sounds a little too soft as a person."
Leo smiled as he turned to look at the clouds outside the window and replied, "Colonel, the n who face bullets are not strong, but the ones who do that with the mory of their loved ones crying, they are the strongest, and on top of that, they do it selflessly. This is the difference between the military and the criminals. I cannot bear the burden like that."
Colonel Armas didn't say anything she fell silent and the flight landed in the capital after four hours. Kyle led them outside the airport, and they spotted three vehicles. Leo said, "Kyle, you and Axel take a different vehicle. I will drive Colonel Armas."
The n nodded and and they quickly got into the vehicles and drove out of the airport. Colonel Armas dialed the number on her phone and after so brief exchange she said, "We are heading to the Fortune Palace."
Leo was shocked and the lady said, "Have your n wait in the public parking."
Leo only nodded and then pressed a button on his phone and said, "Lilibet, inform Kyle to park in the public spot, I will go inside the palace."
The mobile replied, "Yes, master."
Armas was surprised and asked, "Is this a new technology?"
Leo shook his head and said, "It is a beta technology. We have not yet completed testing. Currently we have only managed to perfect the driving mode, so it will take a few more months to build a data model."
Colonel Armas nodded and they continued down the road, when they reached the palace, Leo drove up to the gate, and Colonel Armas inford soone of their arrival on the phone and then the side gate opened. Leo smiled as he drove in and said, "What a magnificent sight it is."
Colonel Armas nodded and said, "This Palace was built after the founding emperor rose from the tides of war and blood. The gate is called…"
Leo mumbled, "Fortune Tide Gate, only those who achieve sothing significant are allowed to pass through it."
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